Sneakerhead Talks: Anthony & Yasmin

With tremendous success on the series last year, it brings me much joy to continue the Sneakerhead Talks in 2017. For those who don’t know, each month we select a member of the community, interview and photoshoot them. This month, we bring you a passionate, sneaker-loving duo from Melbourne with huge personality and diverse style. I present to you, Anthony Grimm and Yasmin Kovacs.

A Little About Anthony & Yasmin

A: “I grew up in Melbourne and travelled to various countries, living and working, doing all sorts of different jobs. I’ve always had a passion for social welfare and justice, so now I spend much of my time working with young people who are disengaged and/or who are marginalised. I’ve always had a passion for photography and motorcycle racing. Even though I don’t do a whole lot of that these days, it’s still a part of me.”

Y: “I’m 41 years old and currently not working so I have a fair bit of spare time on my hands. I honestly just love hanging out with Anthony, going out to eat and chilling out. I started the sneaker group ‘Sole Queens’ so I like to spend my extra time in sneaker groups connecting with like minded individuals. I’m also an admin for group Sole Insiders.”

Unique Style

A: “I’m a Melbournian through and through, so 90% of my wardrobe is black…I’m a huge fan of Japanese, UK and Euro streetwear brands. So mix that in with jeans and a t-shirt and that’s me.”

Y: “My all time favourite brand is Carhartt but clothes isn’t something I’m fussy about as I’ve always kept it simple with some jeans, a tee and hoodie combo. I honestly just want my sneakers to stand out with whatever I wear.”

Influence on Sneakers

A: “I’ve had a passion for sneakers since I was a kid. I still remember my first pair of Nikes, Air Stabs in ’88. I was 11 and begged my mum for them and saved through chores to get them. They were the ones that cemented it for me.

Skating growing up was a major influence with Airwalk, Vans, Cons and DCs being my go to kicks. Music played a major part in my tastes listening to hip-hop in the ’90s, there began my love of Jordans, particularly 3’s, 4’s & 5’s.

It wasn’t until I met Yas that I started collecting, we’re hopeless sneaker addicts who fuel each other’s obsession. It’s a blessing and a curse. On one hand I’m not going to get into trouble if I cop more than I should, but on the other hand I’d better make sure that we both cop haha.”

Y: “I first fell in love with sneakers when Nike released the Air Max 90 in 1990. I was 14 at the time but I would have never have asked my parents for $200 sneakers so that was that. I only started to buy my own kicks when I started working full time circa 1996.

My first pair was the Adidas Superstars in the black and white colourway, followed by many more in that same style. Slowly, I started diversifying my collection and finally bought the ’90s I loved so much. I never care what other people were wearing. I still don’t. If I liked it, I got it.”

Who has the bigger collection?

A: “Yas of course, I can’t keep up with her. I tend to want more limited and/or expensive kicks and so I don’t buy as many.

Yas is the eternal bargain hunter and so she’s smarter than I am in that respect, she’s often finding crazy good pairs that have gone under the radar ending up in the sale sections.

Being in a relationship with a fellow sneakerhead is never boring that’s for sure, it’s just damn expensive.”

Y: “That would be me. I love collabs as much as the next person, but I also really love a well made GR. Asics, Puma, Saucony, adidas and Le Coq Sportif do some really beautiful sneakers. Grimmi’s more of a hypebeast.”

Favourite Brand of 2016

A: “adidas definitely killed it over the last year with their boost range, NMDs, Ultra Boosts etc. and I have to admit I jumped on the hype train myself. I mean they’re great shoes there’s no doubt about it. That being said I still can’t look past my old favourites with Puma & New Balance being my most loved kicks, those and my Jordans.

I have to thank adidas for taking the hype away from a lot of runners, it just makes it that little bit easier to cop real heat that so many people will just sleep on.”

Y: “I bought a lot of older Asics collabs in 2016. They’re so much cheaper now! I also stuck to my true favourites including Saucony, Puma, LCS (Le Coq Sportif). In saying that though, adidas had an amazing year with Ultra Boosts, Nomads (NMDs) and their myriad of different silhouettes. Some I’m not too fond of but I couldn’t resist the Pharrell HU.”

What’s Missing in the Australia’s Sneaker Scene?

A: “The sneaker scene here has definitely changed, there’s so much hype around every release and it’s becoming harder and harder to cop. There seems to be an ever increasing need to be “one up” on everyone else which is kind of a shame.

That being said it’s great to see so many more people getting into the scene, just walk around the city and you can see more and more people wearing a diverse array of fresh kicks. It’s always great to meet another sneakerhead, all it takes is both of you to glance at each other’s kicks and you’ve got a connection.

I’ve been lucky enough to find a group of people for whom the sense of community comes before kicks. I’m part of the admin team for Jordanheadz, the most dedicated group of Jordan enthusiasts who do all they can to help each other in every way. I’ve found a group of people, through this community, who’ve even gone out of their way to be there for one another through real tough life situations.

The love extends beyond sneakers, it’s bringing back the sense of community and connection that sometimes this culture feels lacking.”

Y: “I think in Australia, especially in the newer generation of sneakerheads, there seems lack a sense of community. It’s all about flexing and reselling. If you don’t have the latest and greatest then you’re somehow not worthy and there’s no respect or tolerance for those who appear different.

In saying that, I’ve made some amazing friends and I continually uphold the community spirit by helping others out. Sneaker Karma is real! It always comes full circle for me. I do good for others and get that love back in return.

I’d also like to see Australia get more access to a variety of new releases and in bigger numbers in drops. It would be nice to have the opportunity to buy locally than resorting to overseas websites.”

Advice For The New

A: “Rock what you like and what you feel good in. Be yourself, develop your own style. I get caught up in hype regularly, it’s hard not to but I often regret it. Looking back now, it’s usually the pairs that I’ve been drawn to without hype that I hold most dear and will never part with.”

Y: “The best advice I can give anyone starting out is to do you. Don’t buy into all the hype because you think that’s what you need to do to be cool. It’s not all about being ‘cool’. Sneaker collecting should be fun. The minute you feel pressured into fitting into a certain mould, it’s not fun anymore. Buy what you love. Wear what makes you happy. You don’t have to always have the latest and greatest. Trends come and go. Classics will stay forever.”

As we conclude the 13th episode of the series, I’d like to thank Anthony and Yasmin for being awesome. It was a long and hot day for a shoot, but you guys were excellent feet models. Cheers for the good hangs and I look forward to next time.